GIANTS OF THE DEEP 31 T 



the porous bones. Then again, when we come to examine the inside 

 of the enormous creature, we find that the very large lung extends 

 further back than in land animals, and thus the centre of gravity 

 is shifted further forwards. 



Friction in the water is obviated, or at any rate largely dimin- 

 ished, by the smoothness of the skin, and as the Whale does not 

 possess any external ears progress is unimpeded, as it would not be 

 if outside ears were present. It must not be assumed, however, that 

 this aninial giant of the deep is devoid of the sense of hearing, as 

 it is stated to exhibit most acute powers in this respect when below 

 the surface. The eyes are placed close to the angles of the mouth, 

 and are comparatively small, being about the same size as those of 

 a Domestic Cow. How does the Whale breathe ? Fishes, as we 

 know, breathe by means of gills, and in their case they take in air 

 dissolved in water. The Whale, however, inhales free atmospheric air, 

 and to obtain this life-giving product it rises to the surface every few 

 minutes, whereupon it expels the used air through the nostrils, making, 

 as it does so, a loud noise that may be heard some distance away. 



Being an inhabitant of cold latitudes "the water-vapour with which 

 this air is saturated becomes visible (like the vapour of our breath 

 in Winter), and appears in the form of two huge jets of steam 

 ejected from the head of the animal. It is this phenomenon which 

 is spoken of as the ' blowing ' or ' spouting ' of the Whale." 



It will thus be seen it is an absolute essential that this mammal 

 should be able to come to the surface of the water to take in a fresh 

 supply of air, and the powerful tail-fin is the wonderful mechanism 

 which drives the beast upwards. This is the reason why the tail-fin 

 occupies a horizontal position. The large lungs are capable of 

 taking up an abundant supply of air, whence it comes about that it 

 is not necessary for the animal to take in a fresh store of the neces- 

 sary of life in less than from ten to fifteen minutes, although, curious 

 to relate, a wounded beast has the power of remaining in the depths 

 beneath for an hour or more, surely a wonderful provision of Nature 

 whereby the giant may be secure from enemies above-board. Look 

 at a Whale's head if ever an opportunity occurs, and it will then 

 be seen that the nostrils are well placed, and that they take the 

 form of narrow slits. They occupy a position on the summit of a 

 roundish protuberance on the top of the head, and after a fresh 

 supply of air has been inhaled the openings close as the monarch 

 dives below again, and thus water is prevented from entering them. 



